Retention device for use with headwear

ABSTRACT

A retention device for securing a pair of eyeglasses on the bill of a hat or other garment is described. A pair of retention devices may be attached to the inside of hat for receiving and releaseably holding ear pieces of a pair of eyeglasses to retain the lens frames in position on the bill of the cap. Each retention device has a socket for receiving an ear piece of the eyeglasses through an aperture provided in the crown of the hat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/694,520 filed Jul. 6, 2018, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a novel device for retaining thetemples of eyeglasses to removably secure the glasses to headwear. Moreparticularly; the temples of a pair of eyeglasses are received intoretention members mounted to the side panels of a hat or cap andsecurely retained thereby in place on the hat or cap. The geometry ofthe retention members and the gripping properties of the materials fromwhich the retention members are manufactured retain the temples of theeyeglasses in place until the user purposefully removes the eyeglassesfrom the device.

For general reference purposes, and without limiting the scope of thisapplication, common terms used herein include the parts of eyeglasses,to include the frames, lenses, rims, temple, shaft, and earpiece. Commonterms for cap construction include brim, crown, hat band, back panel,and side panel. The term eyeglasses encompasses prescription eyeglasses,reading glasses, sunglasses, vanity glasses, and all other types ofsimilar products.

It is common practice for eyeglasses wearers to place their eyeglasseson top of their head when not in use. Moreover, it is very common forindividuals who wear eyeglasses and headwear, such as hats or caps, atthe same time to place their eyeglasses onto their hats when theeyeglasses are not in use. Unsecured eyeglasses placed on the brim orother component of such headwear are not secure and may eventually falloff of the headwear. Lost or damaged eyeglasses are a commonplace resultof such behavior.

People are more likely to place their glasses onto the brim of a capwhen engaging in certain activities. For example, it is common forgolfers to wear brimmed caps and sunglasses at the same time. As thelight changes, the need for the sunglasses changes and many times thesunglasses are placed onto the hat with the nosepiece or rims of theframes placed against the brim and the temple disposed along the side ofthe cap above the wearer's ears. Fishermen often wear hats andsunglasses, or in many cases, magnifying glasses that allow them to seeto tie on lures. Again, it is common to see the eyeglasses placed on thebrim of the hat when not in use as eyewear. When such users bend over,the eyeglasses may end up falling off of the hat and into the water.Many eyeglasses are expensive and are not always easily replaced.

What is desirable and needed is a retention device that allows a user toquickly and easily secure eyeglasses to headwear by inserting the templeor earpieces of the eyeglasses into the retention devices describedherein without removing the headwear from a user's head. The devicesshould securely grip the temple of the glasses when they are in placebut should also release the temple of the eyeglasses upon usermanipulation so the eyeglasses may easily be removed. The instantinvention overcomes the limitations of the related art and achieves thestated goals.

It is also important that the retention members do not detract from theaesthetic value of the headwear. It is preferred that they are notnoticeable when not in use or, in the alternative, add to the overallappearance of the headwear. Although an attractive or unobtrusiveappearance is the desire and intent, the most important feature is theease of use and the secure retention of the eyeglasses on the headwearduring use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the retention device for retaining eyeglasses inrelation to a hat, is formed from a base portion and a retentionportion, where the base portion is joined to the retention portion withinterior surfaces disposed toward each other to form a socket forreceiving the earpiece of the eyeglasses. In embodiments, the forwardedge of one of the base portion and the retention portion is providedwith a recessed portion that is at least partially recessed with respectto the forward edge of other of the base portion and the retentionportion. In a preferred embodiment, the forward edge of the base portionis partially recessed with respect to the forward edge of the retentionportion. In these embodiments, the retention portion extends forward ofthe recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion. In some ofthese embodiments the forward edge of the base portion is at leastpartially recessed by a notch.

In some embodiments of the device, the socket narrows from the forwardedge of the retention portion to the recessed portion of the forwardedge of the base portion. In some of these embodiments, the socket has auniform width from the recessed portion of the forward edge of the baseportion to the read edge of the base.

In some embodiments, the interior surface of the retention portion inthe socket is provided with a concave channel extending from the forwardedge to the rear edge thereof. Similarly, in some embodiments theinterior surface of the base portion in the socket is a concave surface.In various embodiments, the base portion is provided with at least oneattachment tab for attaching the device to the hat.

In a preferred embodiment the hat has an aperture having at least twoside edges, and the retention device is attached to the hat with therecessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion adjacent to oneof the side edges, and the forward edge of the retention portionadjacent to another of the side edges.

In another embodiment, the retention device provides for retainingeyeglasses in relation to a garment having an aperture. The retentiondevice may include a base portion and a retention portion, where thebase portion and the retention portion are joined with their interiorsurfaces disposed toward one another to form a socket for receiving theear piece of the eyeglasses through the aperture in the garment. In someembodiments, a portion of the forward edge of the base portion isrecessed with respect to the forward edge of the retention member. Whenthis embodiment of the device is attached to the garment with therecessed portion of the forward edge adjacent to the aperture in thegarment, the retention portion of the device substantially covers theaperture.

In some embodiments, the retention portion is provided with a concavechannel extending from the forward edge thereof through the socket. Inother embodiments the recessed portion of the forward edge of the baseportion comprises a notch. In those embodiments, the aperture in thegarment has at least three edges and the notch in the base portion isdisposed adjacent to two of the edges of the aperture, and the forwardedge of the retention portion is adjacent to a third edge of theaperture. In these and other embodiments, when the earpiece of theeyeglasses is inserted into the aperture, contact between the earpieceand the retention portion guides the earpiece into the socket. Then theinterior surfaces of the base portion and retention portion of thedevice grip the earpiece of the eyeglasses.

In some embodiments, the socket narrows from the forward edge of theretention portion to the recessed portion of the forward edge of thebase portion, and the socket is of substantially uniform width from therecessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion to the rearedge of the base portion.

In other embodiments, the inventive device comprises a hat withretention devices for releasably retaining a pair of eyeglasses thereon,the eyeglasses having two earpieces. In these embodiments, the hat withretention devices has a first aperture and a second aperture disposed ona crown of the hat, the first aperture spaced apart from the secondaperture so that each of the two earpieces may be simultaneouslyinserted into the first and second apertures. A first retention deviceis attached to the inside of the hat adjacent to the first aperture.Similarly, a second retention device is attached to the inside of thehat adjacent to the second aperture.

In these embodiments, the first and second retention devices may have abase portion and a retention portion, where the base portion is joinedto the retention portion to form a socket. In a preferred embodiment, aportion of the forward edge of the base portion is recessed in relationto the forward edge of the retention portion.

In some embodiments the first and second retention devices are attachedto the hat such that the recessed portion of the forward edge of thebase portion is adjacent to an edge of the first and second aperture,respectively, and the retention portion of the first and secondretention devices extends across the first and second aperture,respectively.

In a preferred embodiment the recessed portion of the forward edge ofthe base portions of the retention devices comprises a notch, and thefirst and second apertures comprise substantially triangular apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 5 is an end plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 7 is an end plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the inventive retentiondevice.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of theinventive retention device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of theinventive retention device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inventiveretention device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a hat including an embodiment of theinventive retention device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hat including an embodiment of theinventive retention device with a pair of sunglasses disposed in theretention device.

FIG. 14 is an interior view of a portion of a hat including anembodiment of the inventive retention device.

FIG. 15 is an interior view of a portion of a hat including anembodiment of the inventive retention device.

FIG. 16 is a cut-away interior view of a portion of a hat including anembodiment of the inventive retention device.

FIG. 17 is a cut-away interior view of a portion of a hat including anembodiment of the inventive retention device.

FIG. 18 is an interior view of a portion of a hat including anembodiment of the inventive retention device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An inventive retention device for securing eyeglasses to headwear isdescribed herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to aproduct for removably securing glasses to headwear. The inventiveretention device is particularly well suited for use with baseball stylecaps having a forward facing bill or brim. In embodiments, a retentionmember, or device, is provided on one or both sides of the cap, aboveand behind the juncture of the brim and the crown of the cap. In someembodiments, the retention device is attached to the inside of the capor hat.

In various embodiments, an aperture is provided through the crown of thecap. This aperture allows the earpieces or temples of a pair ofeyeglasses to be inserted from the outside of the cap, through theexterior layer of the cap and into an interior portion of the cap wherethe retention device is attached to the inside of the cap. In someembodiments or applications for adult caps, the opening is locatedapproximately 1 to 1½ inches behind the brim of the cap and above thelower edge of the crown between 1¼ to 2 inches. In other embodiments, orfor children's caps, the opening may be located in a different locationwith different dimensions, so long as the location is sufficient toallow both earpieces of a pair of glasses to be inserted through theopening on one or both sides of the hat when the rims of the glasses areplaced adjacent to the crown of the cap and above the brim. A retentionmember is fastened inside the cap near each opening to receive theearpieces of the eyeglasses when inserted into the aperture.

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, an embodiment of the retention device 100 isdepicted. Each retention member 100 includes a base portion 102 and aretention portion 104. In some embodiments, one or both of the baseportion 102 and the retention portion 104 are planar or are formed froma sheet material that is generally planar. In other embodiments theportions 102 and 104 may be arcuate, curved, or otherwise shaped to fita hat to which they are to be attached. In some embodiments, theretention portion, base portion, and side walls may all be formed aspart of a tubular, unitary element.

One of the portions, in this embodiment the retention portion 104 has aforward edge 106 that extends in front of the forward edge of the otherportion, in this case base portion 102, which is partially or completelyrecessed with respect to forward edge 106. In some embodiments, thepartially recessed forward edge 108 comprises a substantially V-shapedor funnel-shaped notch in the forward edge 108 that extends partially orcompletely across the width of the socket 110. In some embodiments, theV-shaped notch in the forward edge 108 serves to guide the earpiece ofthe glasses into the socket or channel 110 formed between the baseportion 102 and the retention portion 104 of the retention device 100.In other embodiments, the edge 108 may be shaped to fit the aperture inthe hat, or vice versa. In other embodiments, the edge 108 may bearcuate or non-linear.

In the depicted embodiment, the base portion 102 and the retentionportion 104 are attached to each other along the side edges of theretention portion 104. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-11, theside edges of retention portion 104 are attached to the base portion 102by side walls 112 that retain the two portions 102 and 104 slightlyapart from each other. A socket 110 is formed between the base portion102 and retention portion 104 with a forward aperture 124 defined by thefront edges 106 and 108 of the portions 102 and 104, respectively.

In the depicted embodiment, the retention portion 104 extends forward ofthe recessed forward edge 108 of the base portion. This overlap of theretention portion 104 over the notch or recessed forward edge 108 causesthe retention portion 104 to prevent the temples of the eyeglasses frommissing the socket 110. Contact between the temples and the overlappingportion of the retention portion 104 prevents the temples from missingthe front aperture 124, and help guide the temples into the aperture 124and socket 110.

In some embodiments the side walls 112 separate the two portions 102 and104 by between 1-3 mm, and in a preferred embodiment the separation is 2mm. In some embodiments, the side edges of the portion 104 may bedirectly attached to a first surface of base portion 102, and theportions 102 and 104 may have varying thicknesses across their width tocreate a separation between the portions 102 and 104 along a desiredportion of their width. In other embodiments, one portion 102 or 104, orboth may be arcuate or curved to create the socket 110. In someembodiments the base portion 102 and retention portion 104 may extendbeyond the side walls 112 or other point of connection between the twoportions.

In the depicted embodiments, the base portion 102 is provided with atleast one attachment tab 114 and 116. In the depicted embodiment, sideattachment tabs 114 extend outwardly on each side edge of the baseportion 102, and a rear attachment tab 116 extends outward on the backedge 118 of the base portion 102. In other embodiments the attachmenttabs may be attached to the retention portion of the device 100 extendoutwardly from some point on side walls 112. In other embodiments theattachment tabs 114 and 116 may be of a different shape or location onthe device or may be incorporated into other portions of the device 100.In some embodiments they may be removed entirely, in favor of anothermanner of attaching the device to a hat, such as internal stitching,glue, or other means of connection that may be known to a person ofskill in this field.

In various embodiments, the portions 102 and 104, and side walls 112 areformed from material that is between 1-3 mm thick. In a preferredembodiment, the portions 102 and 104 and side walls 112 aresubstantially 2 mm thick. The exact thicknesses of the materials mayvary from that specified herein without departing from the scope of theinvention, and such thicknesses depend on the material used to form thedevice 100, as well as the exact outer dimensions of the device 100which may vary for different sizes of the device. In some embodiments,the attachment tabs 114 and 116, if present are 1-3 mm in thickness andmay extend from 0-10 mm away from the point of attachment to theretention device 100, though in other embodiments they may be formed ofdifferent thicknesses and sizes.

In some embodiments, the portions 102 and 104, and side walls 112 areformed from a flexible, elastic material, with a surface thatreleaseably grips other materials. In some embodiments, the portions 102and 104, and side walls 112 may be formed from rubber or rubber-likematerials. Other materials may be used without departing from the scopeof the invention.

In various embodiments of the device 100, the width of one or both ofthe base portion 102 and retention portion 104, meaning the distancebetween the side edges of each portion, and the width of the socket 110,decreases from the forward edges 106 and 108 to a rear edges 118 and120. In some embodiments, the forward edge 106 of the retention portionmay be from 10-30 mm wide, and in a preferred embodiment it issubstantially 20 mm in width. In some embodiments, the width of thesocket 110 may narrow from a width of 10-30 mm wide at the forward edgeof the retention member to 5-20 mm wide at the narrowest point in thesocket 110. In a preferred embodiment, the socket 110 is substantially10 mm wide at the narrowest point in the socket 110. In some embodimentsthe outer dimensions of the base and retention portions may remain thesame while the inner dimensions of the socket 110 may decrease asdescribed above. In some embodiments, the change in width of socket 110may not be linear.

In some embodiments, rear aperture 122 to socket 110 is provided betweenthe rear edges 118 and 120 of base and retention portions 102 and 104,respectively. In some embodiments, rear aperture 122 is a slit and theedges 118 and 120 may touch each other except when the temples ofeyeglasses are disposed therein. In other embodiments, the rear edges118 and 120 may be disposed apart. In some embodiments, there may be norear aperture 122 and the base portion 102 and retention portion 104 maybe attached along the rear edges.

In the depicted embodiment, the V-shaped forward edge 108 of the baseportion 102 creates a guide which generally accommodates insertion ofthe earpiece of glasses into socket 110. The decreasing width of thesocket 110 created in this embodiment by the base and retention portions102 and 104 creates a narrowing guide channel which directs the earpieceof the glasses into socket 110 and toward rear aperture 122.

In a preferred embodiment, the material of the base and retentionportions 102 and 104 is pliable but has a sufficiently high frictionalcoefficient to secure the earpiece or temple of the glasses within theretention device against accidental discharge due to movement of thewearer's head.

In some embodiments of the retention device 100, the base portion 102,retention portion 104, side walls 112, and attachment tabs 114 and 116are made from rubber or silicone. In some embodiments the rubber orsilicone material has a durometer hardness of between 30 and 35. In someembodiments, the silicone material is flexible or pliable enough that itcan expand to accommodate larger ear pieces while retaining andrebounding to its original shape when the ear piece is removed. Thespecific durometer hardness selected for the material of construction isselected to be suited for gripping plastic or metal, which are the mostcommon products from which eye glass ear pieces are manufactured.

In some embodiments such as that depicted herein, the interior surface128 of the base portion 104 may be provided with a concave channel 126,or groove of some other cross-section, to further guide the earpieceinto the socket 110. Similarly, some embodiments include a retentionportion 104 with a concave channel 132, or groove of some othercross-section, on the interior surface 130 of the retention portion 104.In some parts of the socket 110, the channels 126 and 132 may extendacross the entire width of the socket 110.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a perspective cross-sectional view of anembodiment of the retention device 100 is depicted on the axis 9-9 shownon FIG. 4, looking toward the forward edge of the device 100. In thedepicted embodiment the interior surface of the side walls curvesinwardly from the connection to the retention member 104 to the basemember 102. This may increase the surface area contact between thematerial of the device and the temples of the eyeglasses to increase theholding force exerted by the device 100. In some embodiments, theholding force exerted by the device 100 may be increased by compressiveelastic forces created by displacement of the retention portion and sidewalls 112 by the insertion of the temples of the eyeglasses. This forcefrom the elastic material may also increase the force necessary toovercome the friction between the temples and the device 100.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of theretention device 100 is depicted on the axis 10-10 shown on FIG. 4,looking toward the forward edge of the device 100. At this point insocket 110, the interior surfaces 128 and 130 of the base portion 102and retention portion 104, respectively, are concave across the entirewidth of the socket 110.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment ofthe retention device 100 is depicted on the axis 11-11 shown on FIG. 7.In the depicted embodiment, the socket or channel 110 between the baseportion and the retention portion may be considered to comprise twosections: a guide section between axis 11-11 shown on FIG. 11 and theforward edges 106 and 108, and an engagement section between axis 11-11shown on FIG. 11 and the rear edges 118 and 120. In the depictedembodiment, the inner surfaces of the guide portion 134 of the base 102and the guide portion 136 of the retention portion 104 slant generallyinwardly so that the width of the socket 110 narrows from the frontedges 106 and 108 as the socket 110 moves toward the axis 11-11. In thedepicted embodiment, the engagement portions 138 and 140 of base 102 andretention member 104, respectively, have a fixed interior width suchthat socket 110 is of constant width in the engagement section.

In this embodiment of the device, the guide and engagement sections ofthe device cooperate to guide the temple of the eyeglasses into thedevice and cause it to be held securely in the device. As will be seenin later figures, the shape of forward edge 108 may be designed to matchthe opening or aperture provided in the hat, or vice versa, to improvethe guidance of the temple 206 as it enters the aperture in the hat intothe socket 110. The narrowing walls of the guide portion of the socket110 direct the end of the temple into the engagement portion of thesocket. In addition to the guiding functions, the guide portion of thesocket may also provide frictional holding force to prevent theeyeglasses from falling out of the device unexpectedly.

In these embodiments, the internal surfaces of the engagement section ofthe device 100 exert a frictional force on the temple of the eyeglassesto prevent the temples from withdrawing out of the socket 110 until auser provides sufficient force to overcome the frictional forces exertedby the surfaces of the device on the eyeglasses. In some embodiments,the displacement of the elastic material used to make the retentionportion 104 and side walls 112 may also exert a compressive force on thetemple of the eyeglasses to press them against the base portion 102 orthe hat 200, and also increasing the force necessary to overcomefriction between the temples of the eyeglasses and the device 100.

In some embodiments there may not be a guide section, or a separateengagement section. In some embodiments, the entire length of socket 110may be constant in width, or narrowing in width, or have some sectionsthat widen and others that narrow. In some embodiments, the forward edge108 may be arcuate or shaped in any shape desired to receive a temple ofeyeglasses inserted through the aperture in the hat. In a preferredembodiment, the forward edge 108 is shaped to match the shape of theaperture in the hat.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-18, various views of an embodiment of theretention device 100 installed in a cap 200 are depicted. In thisembodiment, the orientation and placement of a retention member and thecrown of a hat 200 is selected so that when the ear pieces 206 of theglasses 204 are inserted in retention devices 100 on each side of thehat, the lens frames will rest on the bill of the hat. If placed too lowor too high the glasses do not align well as they rest on the brim ofthe cap. If the placement is too far forward or too far rearward on thehat the retention capacity of the devices is affected. On a standardadult size baseball cap each retention member is mounted in the side ofthe crown in an area which would be above the wearers ears, as shown inFIG. 12. In some embodiments of hats using the retention device 100,there may only be one device 100 attached to the hat on one side. In apreferred embodiment two devices 100 are attached to a hat 200 toreceive both temples 206 of a pair of glasses. In some preferredembodiments the two devices 100 are attached in a symmetricalconfiguration with respect to the bill or front of the hat.

In other embodiments, the device may be used with a hat without a bill,or oriented so that the glasses it on the top or back of the hat. Inother uses of the device 100, it may be oriented so that the temples ofthe glasses may be secured with the glasses oriented vertically, fromthe back of the hat, or even while the glasses are still disposed on theface of the wearer. In yet other embodiments, the device or devices 100may be attached to the outside of the hat 200 and used without aperture202.

In the depicted embodiment an aperture 202 is provided through the crownof the hat adjacent to the front edges of the retention device 100. Theear piece of the eyeglasses are inserted into the aperture 202 and intothe socket 110 of the retention device 100. FIG. 12 depicts a side viewof a hat 200 with a retention device 100 installed on the interiorsurface of the hat 200 and visible through aperture 202. FIG. 13 depictsa side view of a hat 200 with glasses 204 resting on the bill of the hat200, with the visible temple 206 inserted through aperture 202 intoretention device 100. A similar device 100 is attached on the other sideof hat 200 that is not visible, and the other temple 206 is similarlyinserted therein.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12-18, the aperture 202 issubstantially triangular in shape as defined by edges 212 in hat 200.The edges 212 do not need to be exactly linear, and in some cases moreor less than three may be utilized. In some embodiments, the front edgeof the triangular aperture is 20 mm and the length of each of the rearedges is 15 mm. In some embodiments the length of the slit aperture is20-30 mm. In other embodiments, the aperture 202 may be a slit, acircle, a semi-circle, an oval, a semi-oval, a teardrop, a polygon, orany other shape suited for receiving the temple 206 of the eyeglasses.In other embodiments of the invention, the device 100 may be attached tothe outside of the hat, or internally next to the lower edge of the hat,so that no aperture is necessary.

FIG. 13 depicts an external view of the hat having the ear piece 206 ofeyeglasses 204 in inserted into the aperture 202, with the lens framesresting on the bill of the hat. FIG. 18 depicts an internal view of thehat 200 with an embodiment of the retention device 100. The earpiece 206of the eyeglasses 204 is inserted into the socket 110 and extends outthrough rear aperture 122.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-18, an embodiment of the retention device 100is shown as installed in a hat. In some embodiments, the retentiondevice 100 may be fastened within the hat approximately 20-30 mm behindthe edge of the brim. In some embodiments the centerline of the socket111 may be disposed approximately 30 mm above the lower edge of the hat.In various embodiments, the orientation and location on the hat maychange depending on the size, configuration and construction of each hat200 and the retention device 100 itself. In a preferred embodiment, theaperture 202 is aligned with the forward edges 108 and 106 of the baseand retention portions 102 and 104 of the device 100.

In the depicted embodiment, each of the attachment tabs 114 and 116 ofthe retention device 100 are sewn into the material of the crown of thehat by stitching 210. In other embodiments, the device 100 is affixed tothe hat material by sewing, gluing or other known and conventionalfastening means, either of attachment tabs 114 and 116 or other parts ofdevice 100.

As depicted in FIG. 14, in some embodiments the retention device 100 maybe disposed behind, or partially or fully covered by a hat band 208 orother integral part of the hat. In other embodiments, the device 100 maybe covered by an internal liner for a hat 200. In other embodiments, thedevice 100 may not be covered at all. FIG. 15 depicts the hat 200 withhat band 208 folded down to reveal the device 100.

FIG. 16 depicts a view directed toward the back of the hat 200 with aportion of hat band 208 shown in cut-away to reveal an embodiment of thedevice 100. In this figure, aperture 202 can be seen, with the forwardedge 108 of the base portion 102 of device 100 aligned with two of theedges 212 of aperture 202. In this embodiment the edge 108 aligns withtwo edges disposed closer to the back of the hat 200. In thisconfiguration the retention portion 104 effectively covers the aperture202 such that the temples 206 may be inserted at any part of the opening202 and still be guided by retention portion 104 into socket 100.

In other embodiments, a forward wall may be added to device 100 to coverthe area between the forward edge 106 and the inside surface of the hat200. In other embodiments, the side walls 212 may reduce in “height” asthey approach the forward edge 106 of the retention portion 104, thusbringing edge 106 in close proximity with the forward edge 212 of theaperture 202, and in some cases attachment to the hat. In otherembodiments, an attachment tab may extend from the forward edges 106 or108 for attachment to the hat similar to tabs 114 and 116.

FIG. 17 depicts a view directed forward toward the bill of the hat 200with a portion of hat band 208 shown in cut-away to reveal an embodimentof the device 100. The rear aperture 122 of socket 110 is facing towardthe back of the hat 200. The temple 206 of glasses 204 secured in device100 extend out from aperture 122 toward the back of the hat 200.

FIG. 18 depicts an internal view of the hat 200 facing toward one of thesides of the hat 200. This figure depicts a hat 200 without a hatband208 or with one that is folded down. In FIG. 18 the eyeglasses 204 aredisposed on the bill of the hat 200 as shown in FIG. 13, and the temple206 extends inside the hat 200 as shown in FIG. 18. In the depictedembodiment the temple 206 extends from of the rear aperture 122 into theinternal volume of the hat 200. In other embodiments the device 100 mayinclude a socket 110 that completely contains the end of temple 206 whenit is inserted in the device 100, and such embodiments may not beprovided with a rear aperture 122.

The depicted embodiment is shown in relation to a hat, however it andother embodiments may be used with other articles of clothing, such asheadbands, shirts, jackets, backpacks, and other articles. For example,the device may be used on clothing to secure one temple of glasses tothe clothing when the glasses are folded. In one example it could beattached to a shirt, adjacent to or inside a pocket to receive andsecure glasses in or on the pocket. In another use, one or embodiment ofthe device may be attached to the inside or the outside of a backpack,or inside a pocket of the backpack, to secure folded glasses to thebackpack. Other similar uses will be apparent to one of skill in the artof designing clothing and similar articles.

Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of thevarious components depicted, as well as components not shown, arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described withthe intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, ratherthan restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do notdepart from its scope. Specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ thepresent invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilledartisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementionedimprovements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in thespecific order described.

1. A device for retaining eyeglasses in relation to a hat, theeyeglasses having an earpiece, the device comprising: a base portionhaving an interior surface, a forward edge, and a rear edge; a retentionportion having an interior surface, a forward edge, and a rear edge;wherein the base portion is joined to the retention portion with theinterior surfaces disposed toward each other to form a socket forreceiving the earpiece of the eyeglasses; and wherein the forward edgeof one of the base portion and the retention portion is provided with arecessed portion that is at least partially recessed with respect to theforward edge of other of the base portion and the retention portion. 2.The device of claim 1 wherein the forward edge of the base portion ispartially recessed with respect to the forward edge of the retentionportion.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the retention portion extendsforward of the recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion.4. The device of claim 3 wherein the forward edge of the base portion isat least partially recessed by a notch in the forward edge of the baseportion.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the socket narrows from theforward edge of the retention portion to the recessed portion of theforward edge of the base portion.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein thesocket has a uniform width from the recessed portion of the forward edgeof the base portion to the read edge of the base portion.
 7. The deviceof claim 3 wherein the interior surface of the retention portion in thesocket is provided with a concave channel extending from the forwardedge to the rear edge thereof.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein theinterior surface of the base portion in the socket is a concave surface.9. The device of claim 4 wherein the base portion is provided with atleast one attachment tab extending therefrom for attaching the device tothe hat.
 10. The device of claim 3 wherein the hat has an aperturehaving at least two side edges; and wherein the device is attached tothe hat with the recessed portion of the forward edge of the baseportion adjacent to one of the at least two side edges, and the forwardedge of the retention portion adjacent to another of the at least twoside edges.
 11. A device for retaining eyeglasses in relation to agarment having an aperture therein, the eyeglasses having an earpiece,the device comprising: a base portion having an interior surface, aforward edge, and a rear edge; a retention portion having an interiorsurface, a forward edge, and a rear edge; wherein the base portion andthe retention portion are joined with their interior surfaces disposedtoward one another to form a socket for receiving the ear piece of theeyeglasses through the aperture in the garment; wherein a portion of theforward edge of the base portion is recessed with respect to the forwardedge of the retention member; and wherein when the device is attached tothe garment with the recessed portion of the forward edge adjacent tothe aperture in the garment, the retention portion of the devicesubstantially covers the aperture.
 12. The device of claim 11 whereinthe retention portion is provided with a concave channel extending fromthe forward edge thereof through the socket.
 13. The device of claim 11wherein recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portioncomprises a notch.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein the aperture inthe garment has at least three edges and the notch in the base portionis disposed adjacent to two of the edges of the aperture, and theforward edge of the retention portion is adjacent to a third edge of theaperture.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein when the earpiece of theeyeglasses is inserted into the aperture, contact between the earpieceand the retention portion guides the earpiece into the socket.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15 wherein the interior surfaces of the base portion andretention portion of the device grip the earpiece of the eyeglasses. 17.The device of claim 13 wherein the socket narrows from the forward edgeof the retention portion to the recessed portion of the forward edge ofthe base portion, and the socket is of substantially uniform width fromthe recessed portion of the forward edge of the base portion to the rearedge of the base portion.
 18. A hat with retention devices forreleasably retaining a pair of eyeglasses thereon, the eyeglasses havingtwo earpieces, the hat with retention devices comprising: a firstaperture and a second aperture disposed on a crown of the hat, the firstaperture spaced apart from the second aperture so that each of the twoearpieces may be simultaneously inserted into the first and secondapertures; a first retention device attached to the inside of the hatadjacent to the first aperture; and a second retention device attachedto the inside of the hat adjacent to the second aperture; wherein eachof the first and second retention devices comprise: a base portionhaving a forward edge, a rear edge, and an interior surface; a retentionportion having a forward edge, a rear edge, and an interior surface;wherein the base portion is joined to the retention portion to form asocket; and wherein a portion of the forward edge of the base portion isrecessed in relation to the forward edge of the retention portion. 19.The hat with retention devices of claim 18 wherein the first and secondretention devices are attached to the hat such that the recessed portionof the forward edge of the base portion is adjacent to an edge of thefirst and second aperture, respectively, and the retention portion ofthe first and second retention devices extends across the first andsecond aperture, respectively.
 20. The hat with retention devices ofclaim 19 wherein the recessed portion of the forward edge of the baseportions of the retention devices comprises a notch, and the first andsecond apertures comprise substantially triangular apertures.